A large number of African and international decision-makers from a number of diverse sectors including investment, tour operating, hospitality, transport, engineering, construction, media and culture will meet in Geneva from September 10 to 15 at TourismAfrica2006 to network and explore further areas of cooperation.
Tourism Africa 2006 aims at fostering financing and investment of tourist projects in Africa, promoting African destinations and tourist activities as well as preserving African patrimony by ensuring the active participation of institutions in charge of the sustainable, economic and social development.
On September 10 and 11, key figures and executives in international travel and tourism stakeholders in Africa’s travel & tourism industry will gather to analyse the key factors linked to the growth of this industry.
The summit aims at fostering financing and investment of tourist projects, promoting African destinations and tourist activities, and preserving African heritage.
Under the presidency of Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president, World Travel and Tourism Council, qualified experts will lead debates in six separate sessions, including investment, chaired by David McMillan, CEO, International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IH&RA); design and realisation of tourist projects chaired by Peter Boswell, general manager, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC); training and education in tourism, chaired by Ruud J Reuland, general director, Lausanne Hotel School; air transport chaired by Thomas Windmuller, senior vice-president, IATA; Tourist Promotion chaired by Ousmane Ndiaye, regional representative for Africa, UNWTO; and the image of Africa, chaired by Elizabeth Wangari, head of the Africa unit, World Heritage Centre, UNESCO.
The two days of discussion will set the scene for a variety of activities taking place from September 12 to 15 ranging from investment, development, promotion and culture linked to Africa's tourism industry.
September 14 and 15 will be dedicated to the importance of women in Africa’s tourism development, under the patronage of the World Association of Women Entrepreneurs (FCEM).
The two days aim at strengthening and promoting women entrepreneurs’ initiatives worldwide. Françoise Foning, FCEM president, will open the first ‘special day’ on September 14.